Udinese defender Mehdi Benati has told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he would like to be reunited with his friend Samir Nasri at Arsenal.

The 23-year-old, who has scored three times this season, has been something of a revelation and is drawing admiring glances from Europe's biggest clubs.

Asked if it's true that Nasri wants him at the Emirates, Benatia said: "Yes. He wants to do it. When I was in France, at a small club, he said to me: 'I am going to talk to Arsene Wenger'. And I told him that he was crazy. Now he is ever more decisive.

"We're great friends. We got to know each other in Marseille. We shared a room. Now we talk a lot on Blackberry messenger.

"I like Serie A. I am very happy here and my wife Cecile is too. We live in the centre. I'd like to have a great career in Udine.

"Getting into the Europa League would already be great. The Champions League is difficult even if there is quality."

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